Outfest 2018 - Two in the Bush: A Love Story
In this wise and witty look at the world of bisexuality, polyamory and dungeons, we are asked to consider what risks are worth taking for love.
Interview with Co-Writer/Director/Co-Executive Producer Laura Madalinski
Watch Two in the Bush: A Love Story on Tubi and Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! This is all very exciting for us! There are many reasons why I made this film, but the main one was to give the queer community, the polyamory community, and the sex worker community a fun and light-hearted love story. These communities are in dire need of positive representation and uplifting tales.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
After doing a ton of research in the writing stage, I can honestly tell you there is no other film like it. It follows a traditional romantic comedy structure, but with a few twists. The most obvious is that it's about three people instead of two. We also explore the subjects of bisexuality, polyamory, kinks, and sex work in a way that is both honest and loving. There is a lot about this film that is fresh and different. It's funny as hell, and will give you "all the feels".
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
It's ultimately a story about self-acceptance. It's about failing, failing better, and eventually succeeding. It's about overcoming the expectations that other people have for you, and finding out who you really are and what you really want out of life.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script actually started out as a web series about a bisexual polyamorous femme who struggles to find love in the modern era. So even though it's changed dramatically, the main character is largely the same. I wrote the first version myself, loved it, but knew it needed a lot more story. I wrote the second version, but hated it so much that I begged my partner Kelly Haas to write a third version with me. Thankfully she agreed, and together we wrote this amazing feature.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It has been overwhelmingly positive! Truly, I am amazed by the reception.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
To be honest, I was really worried that this film was "too weird", and that the world was not ready for it, but it's being embraced at a level I could not have imagined. Outfest LA loved it, and we just had our world premiere there. After the screening, a number of people came up to me to tell me how much they enjoyed it. I've even had people who have only seen the teaser trailer or read an article about it write to me, telling me how much it means to them that a film like this exists.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would just love to raise awareness about it. We made the film on a micro-budget that didn't include any marketing, so we're trying our best to get the word out ourselves in true indie fashion.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We currently have no PR, sales agent, or distribution, so we would welcome any help that is offered!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
My greatest hope is that this film finds it's way to the people who need it most. The ones who don't often see themselves onscreen in a way that makes them feel good about themselves. I want this film to open up a conversation about relationship dynamics, specifically ethical non-monogamy and polyamory. I want it to start a conversation about how sex workers are portrayed in the media. I also hope that this film encourages more filmmakers who have limited resources, but unique and interesting stories, to go out and make their films.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
It's definitely a film for the curious. If you want to know more about bisexuality, polyamory, kink, and sex work, AND watch a fun, sweet, sexy rom-com, this is the film for you!
Would you like to add anything else?
Here are some fun facts: a) Two in the Bush: A Love Story was made for less than $50,000, and was filmed in only 10 days in the city of Chicago; b) More than 75% of everyone involved with the film (pre-production, production, and post-production) are women, LGBTQ, and/or POC; c) The onset safe-word was "pineapple".
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently juggling my full-time job as a post-production superstar with my company, Strange Charm, while also promoting this film and trying to find distribution for it. Kelly Haas and I are writing a new screenplay. It's a horror comedy that takes place in a strip club and the strippers save the day. Kelly Hass is also looking for an agent for her historical fiction novel about Vikings!
Brittany Wagner is in post production for her autobiographical web series, "Raising Adults", about two girls trying to grow up while raising their crazy, disabled parents. It's set to release end of August. Robert Stockwell is directing and producing a number of projects with his company Cinema Libertad. "Robert Stockwell is a Mexican" is a documentary about Mexican-American identity; “6x9” is an experimental narrative about the psychological torture of solitary confinement; “Deep in the Heart” is a documentary about the history of solitary confinement; and "Brujos", a web series about 4 gay Latinx witches being pursued by the new world colonizers created by the great Ricardo Gamboa.
Sarah Mitchell (Emily) is keeping up the daily grind of balancing her two careers/passions! She's going on auditions every week, managing the busiest dispensary in Chicago full-time, and has a few national commercials running now. Travis Delgado (Ben) is shooting a horror film in the fall called "The Girl in the 3rd Floor Window". You can also catch him in Velvet, a web series. Caitlin Aase (Nikki) is doing the acting hustle, touring with Stella Cheeks for their duet with Plan 9 Burlesque, as well as developing a solo show. Melissa DuPrey (Rosa), has a couple of performances coming up in Chicago: Fly Honeys Show 9 (August 16th), Chicago Women’s Funny Festival (August 25th), and, her 3rd solo show and hyper sexual standup extravaganza, and SEXomedy 2.0: The Second Coming At Joes on Weed St. (Nov 11th).
Interview: July 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Two in the Bush: A Love Story
In this wise and witty look at the world of bisexuality, polyamory and dungeons, we are asked to consider what risks are worth taking for love.
Length: 97 minutes
Director: Laura Madalinski
Producer: Brittany Wagner
Writers: Kelly Haas & Laura Madalinski
Executive Producers: Laura Madalinski, Robert Stockwell, & Brittany Wagner
About the writer, director and producer:
LAURA MADALINSKI (Director, co-Writer, co-EP) spent her childhood in West Virginia, where she was queer before she knew it had a name. She studied film and video at Columbia College Chicago before launching a career in post-production. After working in editorial boutiques for eight years, she started her own company, Strange Charm, in 2013. She got her start in independent film as an assistant editor on the award-winning documentary "We Live in Public".
KELLY HAAS (co-Writer, Wardrobe Stylist) wrote poetry and wrangled costumes for theater in college while figuring out her bisexuality. She currently writes literary fiction, historical novels, and screenplays.
BRITTANY WAGNER (Producer, co-EP) is a Chicago-based writer/ producer. From award-winning independent short & feature films (like Reversal & Miriam is Going to Mars), music videos, parodies and web series to commercials, corporate branding & animation videos, her work has garnered attention from all over the world by way of film festivals and online publications/ viewing. She is currently in production for her own dark comedic web-series, Raising Adults, which she's written, co-directed, produced and acted in.
ROBERT STOCKWELL (DP, co-EP) is a director and the owner of Cinema Libertad. His first feature film, Burnt in Memory was screened at the Chicago Underground Film Festival. He is the founder of the Palace Film Festival, which features films from a range of artists, musicians, and filmmakers.
Key cast: Sarah Mitchell, Travis Delgado, Caitlin Aase, Melissa DuPrey
Looking for: producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Two in the Bush
Twitter: @2inthebushfilm
Instagram: @2inthebushfilm
Funders: Laura Madalinski & Robert Stockwell
Made in association with: Cinema Libertad & Strange Charm
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? We just had our world premiere at Outfest LA, like and follow us on FB, Instagram, and Twitter to hear about future screenings!